Homey service, dazzling views at Hong Kong hotel

An oasis of calm on the rooftop of the Upper House in Hong Kong.

Photograph by: Handout photo
, Upper House Hotel

Perhaps it was the complimentary hot milk and cookies delivered to our room on our first and last nights that appealed so much. This was something my travel companion and I had never experienced before, and it epitomized the genuinely caring approach at The Upper House.

Travel is really all about service. So no matter how amazing a hotel room is, the hotel staff will make or break your stay.

The Upper House is part of the Swire Group, parent of Cathay Pacific airline, which prides itself on first-class service. The hotel embraces the same approach and standards.

For example, a few days before our arrival, we received a Guest Preference questionnaire asking about: "Things you must have when away from home," "Your favourite things to do in Hong Kong" and "Any special dietary requirements/preferences we should be aware of."

I e-mailed back we'd like to have flowers in the room, and a beautiful. A multi-bloom white orchid greeted our arrival.

I also said we would enjoy interesting dining, and possibly a visit to Lamma Island, which has no cars.

Vinchi Chau, of the hotel's Guest Experience department, replied with a description of several new and unusual restaurants, and attached a restaurant guide. He also provided details of the best way to visit Lamma and the island's main attractions.

Small wonder The Upper House ranks seventh in TripAdvisor's guest rating of 308 hotels in Hong Kong.

Because the rooms start at Level 38, you can have a spectacular view of Hong Kong Harbour and Kowloon across the water.

In the corner suites, you get the view from the living room, bedroom and free-standing bathtub in the bathroom.

The modern and comfortable "room" itself, ranges from 68 square metres for the smallest (Studio 70, which Upper House claims is the largest studio in Hong Kong) - half of which is the bathroom - to the 114 square metres Upper Suite.

Some samples include complimentary a la carte breakfast for two, free airport transfers, and "stay three nights and the fourth is free."

If you normally stay at boutique, four-star and five-star hotels, The Upper House offers an out-of-the-ordinary, extraordinary experience. Or make it your one big splurge: As my friend said, "All the things we saw in Hong Kong were amazing but Hong Kong for me is The Upper House."

The details

- Best amenity: Hands down, the view from the bathroom. If you can afford it, try to get a corner room where the views are from every room.

- Who would like it: Anyone who likes to splurge for personal service and amazing views.

- One quibble: An unusual one: I have no sense of direction, and the luxury suites are so big I kept getting "lost" when I tried to go to the bedroom or bathroom.

- Accolades: Upper House was named one of the Top 100 Hotels In the World by readers in 2011 Conde Nast Traveller U.K.

- Price: Starting at $415 for a studio, but check out the Upper House website under special for discounts and other offers. More info: Pacific Place, 88, Queensway, Hong Kong. Tel: +852-3968-111. e-mail, www.upperhouse.com

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